File-ID: <1.05633.69.0C51514D@cloudbase.spectrum.gov>
Organization: Spectrum Cloudbase (Colonel White, Commander-In-Chief)
Summary: Mission transcript--contains background information, video
data, and restricted personnel information
Restrictions: EYES ONLY--SPECTRUM RAINBOW CLEARANCE REQUIRED
Beginning transferral of data pertaining to Spectrum mission codenamed
"Pawns Of Evil":
Background--Pre-Spectrum History
It is 2068. The world's
governmental structure is now unified under one president, James Younger, and
one congress at the newly-built fusion zone known as Unity City ("Futura
City" to its detractors). Yet the
world is not at peace. To the east of
Europe lies Bereznik, a small but predatory state. Below the Pacific Ocean lies the hostile kingdom of
Titanica. And the world is still
reeling from a series of Atomic Wars in the early 2000s which disrupted
technical development and lives worldwide.
The problems caused by the Atomic Wars resulted in a proposal to bring
together the finest elements of the military and paramilitary forces worldwide
into an elite planetary defense force that would take care of extraordinary
defense measures, similar to the Green Berets or the SEALs of the 20th
century. The study resulted in the
signing of a charter by the World President on 10 July 2067 that founded an
organization that truly encompassed all the worldwide elements. Its name, appropriately enough: Spectrum.
Spectrum became the first truly worldwide organization with offices in
nearly every nation. Its command center
would not be in any country, but rather above all of them: A flying aircraft carrier that came to be known
as Cloudbase. Only the elite of
Spectrum would serve on Cloudbase, a senior core of officers whose
identities would be protected by code names taken from the colors of the
rainbow. Its defense would come from
five female fighter pilots code named the Spectrum Angel Flight.
By 2068, humanity had embarked fully on its healing process along with
the planet. Thanks to extraordinary
efforts by such organizations as the unified World Military, the World Space
Patrol, the World Aquanaut Security Patrol, and Spectrum, mankind had reclaimed
its place in the universe. Even the
technologies
stalled by the global devastation of the Atomic Wars had begun to
flourish once again. All seemed well
and the world was once again adhering to the peace so vigilantly enforced by
Spectrum.
Then came April 2068...the ill-fated Zero-X mission to Mars led by
Spectrum's own Captain Black...and the Mysterons...
<Attachment #1: Video File #4871237-14D, dated 18 January 2069>
In the Conference Room on Spectrum Cloudbase, a meeting has been
called. Seated in the hollow center
section of the round conference table is COLONEL WHITE. In the seats around the circular table: CAPTAIN BLUE, CAPTAIN OCHRE, CAPTAIN
MAGENTA, CAPTAIN GREY, DR. FAWN, and Fawn's newest assistant, DR. JOYCE
HOLLANDER from Spectrum Medical Center.
LIEUTENANT GREEN sits in
the recording secretary's seat off to the side. One chair the seat next to Captain Blue is
noticeably empty.
LIEUTENANT
GREEN
All requested personnel present and accounted for, sir.
COLONEL
WHITE
(to Green)
Thank you, Leftenant.
(to the rest
of the table)
Members of
Spectrum...I have called this meeting
to discuss a very difficult issue that has the concern and attention of the
World President himself. The World
President has been in contact with me frequently as of late regarding the
ongoing activities of Captain Black and our efforts to track him down and
capture him.
(nods toward
empty chair)
As you may have noticed, Captain Scarlet is not in attendence. He is, at present, in Sickbay, recovering
from injuries suffered during our latest encounter with the Mysterons. However, rather than wait for his recovery,we are holding this meeting without
him...because it would be best if he were not in attendence.
CAPTAIN BLUE
Why? Captain Scarlet is without a doubt the most
important operative in Spectrum.
Why leave him out of this?
White manages to convey strong annoyance at Blue's impertinence despite
his rigid expression.
WHITE
Because of the nature
of the World President's concerns...and the reason for this meeting. Before the disaster of the Zero-X
mission which resulted in Captain
Black's capture and this war of nerves against the Mysterons, Captain Black was
one of our colleagues...and Captain Scarlet, his star pupil. They were fellow officers and close
friends. This war with the Mysterons
has been hard on all of us...but it has been hardest on Captain Scarlet because
of his unique encounter with them.
After all, for six hours, he was under their control and forced to obey
their orders...and much of what has happened since his awakening from that
control has been beyond our comprehension.
Captain Scarlet has been through experiences we can never
understand...physically and psychologically.
The World President fears--and it is a valid fear--that he could suffer
some sort of breakdown if pushed too far.
And what has been proposed could easily be that "push".
(turns to
Dr. Fawn)
Dr. Fawn, if you would
care to explain...
DR. FAWN
Of course, sir.
(to the rest
of the table)
What we must understand
in dealing with Captain Scarlet's ability to recover from injuries--some of
which our best surgical techniques could not hope to correct--is the tremendous
stress under which his mind is placed.
Surviving death--the so-called "near- death"
experience--always has profound effects upon the individual's mental state.
CAPTAIN
OCHRE
But isn't it true,
Doctor, that Captain Scarlet has no recollection of his "death" when
he recovers?
FAWN
No conscious
recollection, Captain Ochre. But we have no way of ascertaining to what
extent his subconscious is affected.
Despite extensive testing and numerous attempts at mental stimulation--particularly after the
Mysterons' hold on him was broken--those memories remain locked away. But the fact that he has an extreme
sensitivity to the Mysteron presence at
times--a sensitivity that cannot be sufficiently explained physically, though it manifests itself in very physical
symptoms such as headaches or nausea--tells me that those memories are indeed
there and cause him some sort of
psychosomatic trauma.
WHITE
Which, of course,
brings another puzzling consideration to mind.
FAWN
Indeed, Colonel. Is it possible for Captain Black to be
shaken from the Mysterons' control the way Captain Scarlet was by his 800-foot fall from the London Car-Vu? Or has Captain Black been too long held
captive by the Mysterons? Is he now
beyond help--beyond redemption? For
that matter, is it possible that Captain Scarlet might not truly be free of the
Mysterons--that he might one day slip back under their control? Is his current state merely temporary--or
worse, a devious plan to put an indestructible agent into the heart of
Spectrum, waiting to reactivate him at just the right moment?
BLUE
That's ridiculous! I know Captain Scarlet...and I'd stake my
life on his loyalty! I have, numerous
times! Captain Scarlet feels he owes
his life to Spectrum and would do
anything for any of us...does that sound like someone still in the hands of
the enemy? Besides, there have been numerous times where it would have been
in the Mysterons' best interest to have
an insider-- why has this
"reactivation" you're worried about not yet occurred?
FAWN
Perhaps, Captain Blue,
their plans for him are more involved
than any of us can conceive. It could be that our Captain Scarlet may be
the ultimate time bomb...just waiting
to explode.
The tension in the room runs high, as if Dr. Fawn's words awakened an
unspoken fear in all of them...except Captain Blue, who looks incensed at the
very idea of questioning his friend's loyalty.
WHITE
Thank you, Doctor. I think you all now fully realize the
importance of holding this meeting
while Captain Scarlet is recuperating.
As sworn protectors of the World Government, we can hardly risk the very subject of our
plans knowing about them.
CAPTAIN GREY
Plans, Colonel? What "plans"?
White looks toward Fawn and nods some sort of approval.
FAWN
We hope to use Captain
Scarlet's suppressed memories to finally locate Captain Black.
<end of Video File #4871237-14D>
<Attachment #2: Video File #4871237-14E, dated 18 January 2069>
In Sickbay, CAPTAIN SCARLET lies quietly in a bed in the hospital
area. He is hooked to both an EKG and
EEG machine, both of which register improving vital signs. Several minor wounds are still visible, but
it is obvious that his retrometabolism healing process is in full swing. Scarlet moves slightly, as if he has just
crossed the line from injury-induced coma to normal sleep...and the rest of the
wounds fade away.
<end of Video File #4871237-14E>
<Attachment #3: Personal journal of Captain Scarlet, dated 18 January
2069>
I have lately been remembering--if such a term is applicable to the
experiences I have during my retrometabolism-enhanced recoveries-- more and more
of my first encounter with the Mysterons...the day Captain Brown and I were
first killed.
I have had fleeting images at night as I sleep (which, amazingly, I seem
to do less of since my recovery from the Mysteron attack) which take the form
described in 20th century medical documentation as "near-death
experiences". In my case, of
course, they are actual-death experiences.
I remember the car crash...feeling the flames on the back of my neck as
I tried to struggle free of the burning wreckage...then everything fading to
blackness. That much is not new. However, what follows in my dreams is
different from anything I had remembered in the past.
In my dreams, I see myself floating above my battered, burned, and
bleeding body, lying a few feet away from the wreckage, and I see Captain
Brown's body, twisted at a grotesque angle.
I sense Brown's spirit nearby...and even recall non-verbally
communicating with him. I cannot recall
what was said, but I can still feel our mutual shock and confusion and a strange
realization that we were, indeed, dead; not even a chopper ride to Cloudbase
would be able to save us.
Then I feel something strong nearby...something cold...something
evil. At one point, I might have
thought I was in the presence of Satan himself. Now, of course, I know it was the cold, calculating evil of the
Mysterons. They had found the tools to
execute their vicious plans to kill the World President...us.
The next thing I see is another body...whole, unbroken, but lifeless and
cold.
It bears my face.
Not much is clear after that. I
recall feeling pulled inextricably toward that cold, lifeless body...and then
everything else is lost to me. I wake
up in a cold sweat, shaking uncontrollably.
Someday, I hope to pierce that last veil and see what my consciousness
endured during those six hours I was under the Mysterons' control. Perhaps then I shall have the key to unlock
the remaining experiences that occur during my numerous deaths and recoveries.
Perhaps then I will truly be free of the Mysterons.
<end of Personal journal>
<Attachment #4: Video File #4871237-14F, dated 18 January 2069>
The time stamp on the video image reads "17:30--18/1/69" as
Drs. Fawn and Hollander enter the Sickbay.
Both cross toward Captain Scarlet, now visibly completely healed but
still unconscious.
DR. JOYCE
HOLLANDER
Amazing. If I hadn't seen him when he was brought in, I would never know he was on the
verge of death just two hours ago.
FAWN
It never ceases to amaze me.
As many times as I've witnessed
it, it never ceases to amaze me.
(looks at
monitors)
Pulse is still a little
thin. Probably some unresolved
trauma. He'll sleep for a while.
Scarlet stirs, then opens his eyes and looks around the room, trying to
get his bearings.
FAWN
(continued)
Or maybe not.
CAPTAIN
SCARLET
Hello, Dr. Fawn...Dr.
Hollander.
FAWN
Welcome back, Captain
Scarlet. How are you feeling?
SCARLET
Hungry.
FAWN
(slight
laugh)
Not surprising. It takes a lot of energy to rejuvenate a
body. But you do have this knack for reviving close to mealtimes. What would you like?
SCARLET
(starts to
sit up)
I can go to the galley
on my own, thank you...
FAWN
(holds him
down)
Not till I release
you. And I can't do that until I've completed the
fitness-for-duty exam. Now, you can lie here and be hungry...or you can eat something and get
your strength back so the results of
the exam will be better. Which will it be?
SCARLET
You're enjoying this.
FAWN
Keen observation.
(pulls out a
notepad)
Your dinner order,
Captain?
As Scarlet rattles off a list of food better suited for a group than an
individual, Dr. Hollander looks strangely distracted, as if mesmerized by
something.
FAWN
(continued)
Dr. Hollander?
HOLLANDER
(jumps, as
if startled)
Wh-what?
FAWN
Are you feeling all
right? You seem...distant.
HOLLANDER
Oh, no, I'm fine. Guess I was just thinking. You were saying?
FAWN
I was asking if you'd
mind terribly ringing the galley and
asking them to send the items on this
list down here for Captain Scarlet's dinner.
While we're waiting for them to
arrive, I can start the usual exams.
HOLLANDER
Oh, of course.
(studies
list, then looks up at Scarlet)
You must have quite an
appetite, Captain Scarlet.
Scarlet meets the woman's gaze...as intense as his own. It almost seems as if she is trying to stare
through his eyes into his soul. They
hold the gaze for a moment, then Scarlet breaks and stares at the ceiling, his
eyes reflecting an inner disturbance of some sort.
As Fawn begins the exam, Hollander leaves the hospital area and heads
into Fawn's office.
FAWN
Now, then, Captain
Scarlet...let's begin.
He presses several buttons to reset his monitors.
<end of Video File #4871237-14F>
<Attachment #5: Video File
#4871237-150, dated 18 January 2069>
In the other room--Fawn's outer office, away from the hospital
area--Hollander snaps off the Spectrum intercom, then retrieves a pen radio out
of her pocket surreptitiously. She
looks around for a moment, then twists the pen to activate it and whispers into
its microphone.
HOLLANDER
Black Knight to King's
Pawn...the fox is in the henhouse. Repeat:
The fox is in the henhouse. Operation Twister should commence on schedule. Will update progress at 2300
hours. Black Knight out.
FAWN
Oh...there you are.
Hollander quickly hides her radio in her pocket and turns around to see
Fawn standing in the doorway between the hospital and his examination
room/office.
FAWN
(continued)
I was beginning to wonder if you'd gone round
to the galley to deliver the order in person.
HOLLANDER
Oh, I was just...making
sure I got the order right, Dr. Fawn.
I...had a little trouble making out some of the items...
FAWN
(sarcastic)
You must be a dedicated doctor indeed to spend that much time on a patient's room service
order.
(takes list,
reads it to himself)
Of course, I do admit
to sloppy penmanship. Too many years of hastily-scribbled civilian
prescriptions and battlefield logs, I suppose.
HOLLANDER
You wanted me for
something, Doctor?
FAWN
Oh...yes, I did. I was wondering if you would assist me in completing Captain Scarlet's
fitness-for-duty exam. There's so
many blasted monitors to read, and
Captain Scarlet is so impatient to get back to work that he hates any kind of
delays.
HOLLANDER
Oh, of course,
Doctor. I'd be more than happy to.
They leave the room together, heading back to the hospital unit.
<end of Video File #4871237-150>
<Attachment #6: Video File #4871237-151, dated 18 January 2069-- from
security cameras, 5th Street Diner, New York City, New York, United States Of
America>
Early in the morning in the largest city in the world, customers come
and go from the 5th Street Diner. This
day, a new customer dressed all in black--black overcoat, black broad-brimmed
hat, black shirt and pants--enters quietly and sits in a corner booth. A
WAITRESS comes over to serve him.
WAITRESS
Can I help you, sir?
The man looks up toward the camera...and his face is that of a walking
corpse. His eyes are sunken, his skin
is pale, his heavy five-o'clock shadow accentuates his gaunt cheeks. It is Spectrum agent-turned-Mysteron
terrorist CAPTAIN BLACK.
The waitress backs off and heads behind the counter, getting the
attention of diner owner SOL BELLATORA.
Bellatora looks scornfully at the stranger in his diner, then gets out
his baseball bat and brandishes it menacingly as he heads for the corner booth.
BELLATORA
All right, pal...I
don't know what you're sellin' but I ain't buying! We don't serve bums here.
Get yourself on down to the
shelter or somethin', but get outta my diner before I make that cheezy hat a permanent part of your head!
Black glares up at him, almost sneering, as if death has no true meaning
for him. He stands to face Bellatora,
unfastening his coat as he does.
BELLATORA
(continued)
(backing
away in horror)
Oh, my God...I saw your face on the news...you're the guy
Spectrum's lookin' for...Captain Black!
BLACK
Very observant.
With that, he whips out a sub-machine gun and shoots Bellatora in cold
blood. Bellatora drops to the floor,
dead.
The diner patrons begin to scream in panic...but Black's non-stop
shooting silences all of them until only the waitress is left.
WAITRESS
(cowering by
the counter)
Oh, no...oh, God,
please, no...please don't kill me...
BLACK
I am sorry...but I need
all of you.
He fires one last time, and she falls dead behind the counter.
Black holsters the gun as an eerie hush falls over the diner. Then, two circles of greenish light pass
over each dead body, then seem to draw paths on the floor.
Clones of the now-dead victims begin to materialize, then slowly come to
life.